Keith Zuccala Bariatric Surgeon M.D.

My first impression of Doctor Zuccala was "Wow he looks young". He looks like he is about my age or a little older. I am not thirty yet if that tells you anything. And then I thought , how many of these procedures has he done if he is so young?

My impression changed trmemdously after we began to talk. I found him to be very sincere and to the point. He is very knowledgeable on the procedures that he performs.

He answered all of my questions in a very friendly and curteous manner.

His office staff was great! Especially Cathy, she goes out of her way to answer any questions that I have. If she does not know the answer, she does not stop until she finds it.
There was nothing that I disliked about Dr. Zuccala.
Future patients should know that Dr. Zuccala is a very professional Doctor, he does not sugar coat things. He gives you a very realistic picture of the procedure, follow-up care and what you need to do to get the best results from surgery.

Dr. Zuccala strongly emphasizes aftercare. As a matter-of-fact if we would not have had a strong aftercare program in place, he probably would not do my surgery because I live such a great distance away.

Dr. Zuccala has a very structured aftercare program in place; he also has a support group that meets regularly.
Dr. Zuccala was very honest with me about the possible risks of surgery. I had already been researching WLS for two years so he only confirmed what I already had knowledge of.


I will rate Dr. Zuccala after my surgery. So far, I am please with him and his staff.
I believe that both surgical competence and bedside manner are important when choosing a surgeon.

Dr. Zuccala is great, but the best part of having him as a surgeon is everyone else that came with him. His partner, Dr. Saldinger, his staff, the nursing staff at Danbury Hospital. The care and concern shown by everyone involved makes every aspect of WLS better and easier...and this obviously comes both from the management of Danbury Hospital and from Dr. Z himself. I highly recommend Dr. Zuccala to anyone.....

On my first and only visit to this date - he was very understanding and I was impressed with him. His office staff is also very helpful and understanding. They have been so nice to me. Thank You!!!

Dr. Valin performed my surgery on July 3rd, 2001. I was very happy with the actualy surgery. no complications after surgery at all.

Dec. 1, 2001~ I have switched doctors for my after care. I was tired of not getting called back by Valin\'s office, tired of my blood work being lost, tired of him talking to another patient about me, tired of him being always late for appointments, tired of his office staff not calling back or calling when appointments changed. As a surgeon, Valin is wonderful. However, after surgery, it is almost as if you disappear and don\'t matter. I am now seeing Dr. Zuccala in Danbury Hospital. He is wonderful! He makes me feel like I am important, even thought I am a post-op patient! And he is willing to address my concerns, not matter how small they might be! Please be aware that these are my own personal feelings and do not apply to everyone. Dr. Valin is a wonderful surgeon and I am very happy with that aspect. Danbury being where I live it is much more convenient for me to go there. I had a bad experience with after-care from Dr. Valin but that does not mean you will! My advice is to see more than one doctor and make YOUR OWN decision!

Well, I am both happy and nervous that I am Dr. Zuccala's first Lap. patient at Danbury Hospital. Gastric Bypass is a new program there and I get the impression that they want to make it a success. That is a plus! I am banking on being treated very well!
Dr. Zuccala came from Cleveland last year to become the Chief of Lap. Surgery at Danbury.
He is young and positive. I liked him right off the bat. He has even taken the time to answer my emails!Dr. Zuccala is pretty plain spoken. I asked many questions and he answered them. He did not load me up on the down side of surgery. He let me know that success depends on me. Dr. Zuccala asked if I would be willing to participate in a new support group. I will update soon.

FIRST IMPRESSION: I had my first consultation with Dr. Zuccala on March 1, 2002. He was a man of few words, really, and basically told me everything I already knew from research and this website. He was very nice and to the point. Didn't hold anything back. I didn't ask many questions, I honestly could not think of any. But then when I got home, a few came to mind and I started to compile a list.
DID MY IMPRESSION OF HIME CHANGE OVER TIME: Since I've only met him once, I cannot answer this question at this time.
OFFICE STAFF: The staff was extremely nice: Cathy, Sue (the RN)...and the dietician (I apologize, I cannot remember her name - I'll get back to you on that).
LIKE LEAST: I guess I expected a little more consulting in our consultation. He also mentioned that this is major suregery and that we do not create super models - a good point for many people, but for me - I am 450lbs and I am not looking to be anything near a super model...as a matter of fact, I don't want to be anything near SUPER in any way, anymore (like super-sized). I know what he meant by it, and I totally agree. I was just a little thrown off by that remakr given I am much more then a 200lb person looking to have WLS.
WHAT FUTURE PATIENTS SHOULD KNOW: Dr. Zuccala is new to Danbury. As of March, he's only performed approximately 50 of these operations. All successful with no complications. This should by no means scare you - after all I have decided to have my suregery with Dr. Zuccala
EMPHASIS ON AFTERCARE: I do not feel at this time I can answer this question
STRUCTURED AFTERCARE PROGRAM: I will answer this after my second consult.
RISKS OF SURGERY: Dr. Zuccala did a brief overview of risks and complications. He touched on the major aspecs of surgery. Once I am approved, my second consult is supposed to be much more informed and detailed.
RATING OVERALL: As it stands right now, on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the highest, I give Dr. Zuccala an 8. I will revise this number, if need be, once I have my second consult.
WHICH IS BETTER: I believe a doctor or anyone service the public, needs to be both. I am VERY sensitive about my weight and am basically nervous around doctors. I need a doctor that is great in both areas. But if I had to choose one, it would be competant of course.
BOTTOM LINE: The main reasons for going to Dr. Zuccala is because he is nice, close by, on my insurance plan, and does not have a long waiting list.
I WILL REVISE THIS IF AFTER MY NEXT CONSULT, I FEEL DIFFERENTLY IN ANY WAY.

i was impressed with his approach and kindness. He listened and I listend and we both formed a special bond. There was nothing that changed to make me feel that we did not see eye to eye. He was honest and direct. His office staff was fabulous. They made my experience super positive. They helped me get the insurance so that I would be having this surgery. Kathy and Coleen are the best. Dr. Zuccalla was emphatic on after care. i should follow everything to a Tee. If i followed the instructions then i would be a success. There is an aftercare program and we are monitored well. We are now awaiting a support group to be held at the hospital so we can all vent. Dr. Zuccalla always stressed the risks and benefits of this operation. He did his best on all counts. I have nothing negative to say. He made me a happy person. HE NEVER MADE ME FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE IN ANYWAY. i AM SORRY TO SAY THAT i TRULY FEEL HE WAS GREAT, OH YES, HE WAS LATE FROM TIME TO TIME.

Dr. Zuccala seemed to be a man of few words during our first meeting. At the second meeting it was different. He seemed to be a lot more talkative and personaly involved. When he asked if I had any questions..I said "yes!" he put the chart down and crossed his legs and said "go ahead". He sat and listened (and answered) every question i could ask and he could answer honestly. We talked openly and honestly about risks and our respective roles in preventing them.
I am a little disapointed that he does not yet have a structured support program going on at this time. However, he is in the planning stages of developing one.
Dr. Zuccala seems to be a competent surgeon. I have spoken too a few of his patients and they all agree.

I met with dr Zuccala on the 8th of October and he was very thorough as well as compasionate. He explained the proceedure and how important after care as well as group support will be. He is working with another surgeon, Pierre Saldinger who I found to be very nice and put me at ease while explainig the scope of the major descision I was making. The office staff, Sue the nurse, Colleen-insurance, Mary and Cathy are all very nice and patient with my zillion phone calls every time I had a question.
1/4/02 Met with Dr Z again today and he was very funny and comforting. And put my mind at ease and I am ready for surgery in 4 days

Very friendly and professional.
Explained everything throughly, took plenty of time and let me ask questions which he answered to my satisfaction.
The office staff is very nice and the nurse Sue Fox is very good at explaining everything and making you feel relaxed.
I didn't find anything I disliked about Dr. Zuccala.
The office is new and set up to handle obese patients.
He emphasized after care and will have support groups.
Yes it will be a structured program.
Yes he addressed all the risks of the surgery.
I would rate him as excellent.
Both seem to be great.